Yes, the holidays are over

Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News: One look at the W-2 stuck in with our paychecks, and the message arrives home loud and clear: The holidays are over and it’s time to move on.

With changes in U.S. tax law, the Internal Revenue Service says it will open the 2013 income tax filing season next week, on Jan. 30. That means they’ll start processing individual tax returns that day.

First, the IRS has to update forms to reflect new tax laws passed earlier this month, and test its website to make sure things are working properly.

Those with more complicated returns than a simple 1040 will be able to file in late February or March, because more changes will affect those returns. The forms that need extensive programming changes are Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits). 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization) and 3800 (General Business Credit). Most of the folks using those forms usually file closer to the April 15 deadline anyway, or file for extensions until October.

The IRS hopes people will file electronically because it’s easier for them and, they say, faster for the taxpayer, too.